By Emmanuel Mandella

To thump up legislative functions in Western Equatoria State, acting Governor Daniel Badagbu has disclosed that the State Transitional Legislative Assembly will be reopened next week, ending a two-year gap that left locals with fragile representation.

Badagbu made the announcement on Wednesday during the launch of a new HIV strategic plan in Yambio. The reopening of the Assembly is expected to reestablish legislative oversight, empower lawmakers to pass longstanding bills and streamline state operations lulled for months.

“We cannot continue like this. As we are going to open the Assembly next week, I want you, honorable members, to pass all the laws that will protect our young girls and facilitate service delivery to our people,” Badagbu said.

“Any old man found giving money to schoolgirls or tricking underage girls into marriage will face 17 years in prison. No negotiation,” he warned.

The legislative arm of Western Equatoria State has remained dormant since 2022 due to constant political disputes under the former regime. 

This opened loopholes that forced to operate without proper checks and balances, and challenges in implementing key policy decisions.

Earlier this year, the Assembly’s Spokesperson, Hon. Sungu Mary Yoere, blamed the prolonged closure on “internal political decisions, leadership changes, and lack of operational resources.”

Meanwhile, pressure has been mounting for the state government to open parliament. Last week, the Commissioner of the State Revenue Authority, Mr. James Richard Ramadan, appealed to the executive to reopen the Assembly, warning that outdated financial legislation was crippling the local economy and hurting ordinary citizens.

“We are collecting taxes under an obsolete legal framework. Without an updated revenue act, businesses and consumers suffer. Prices are skyrocketing, and we can’t regulate anything,” Mr. Ramadan lamented.

Civil society organizations and local leaders have welcomed the move with cautious optimism.

“The Assembly is the voice of the people. Its closure has meant the people of Western Equatoria had no representation. This must never happen again, we now expect swift action on key legislation: gender protection, health service funding, and taxation,” said Sarah Florence, a member of the Western Equatoria Civil Society Network.

Speaking to the City Review in exclusive interviews, community members, expressed relief.

“The cost of living is too high. We need laws that regulate the market and protect school children from sugar daddies. I thank the governor for making moves,” said Yambio resident Morris John, a market vendor in Masia Market.

One lawmaker, Hon. Tambua David representing Nzara County, confirmed that the lawmakers are ready to reconvene and resume legislative work.

“We’ve been idle for too long, not by our will. We are now ready to take up our constitutional duties and prioritize the welfare of our people,” he said in a phone interview.

The Western Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly is composed of 100 members appointed from various political parties under the Revitalized Peace Agreement. It plays a critical role in passing state laws, approving budgets, and holding government institutions accountable. Its inactivity since 2022 has left a legislative gap that many observers say contributed to governance failures across the state.